new legends of zorrilla combines verse, live music, and fantastical elements to humorously narrate the story of a woman fighting to determine her own destiny. the production, featuring the dramaturgy of raúl losánez and directed by ana contreras, will be on stage until 6 december.
the fernán gómez theatre, part of the cultural, tourism and sports area of madrid, will present new legends of zorrilla starting on 13 november. this show reimagines the works of the renowned author from a contemporary perspective, infused with humour, live music, and a strong taste for the fantastic.
while josé zorrilla is best known for his play don juan tenorio, the writer from valladolid also found great satisfaction in his legends, which he frequently explored. drawing from these texts, the theatre company la otra arcadia presents a narrative centred around inés de alvarado, a young woman celebrated for her beauty, intelligence, and determination, who seeks to carve her own path in a male-dominated society.
inés faces attempts by her father to control her life, threats from ruffians, and the idealisation of those who fail to acknowledge her will. in defiance of those who wish to dictate her choices, she embarks on a journey for freedom filled with intrigue, insults, revenge, miracles, and enchantments. her adventures will ultimately transform her into a legendary figure whose stories resonate into the present.
to craft this new tale, raúl losánez draws from numerous legends and some poems by zorrilla, incorporating characters, situations, verses, and ideas to create an original plot that retains key elements of the genre, such as love, suspense, action, and the supernatural, all interwoven with irony and humour.
the production transforms storytelling into a theatrical game, with jorge basanta, alba recondo, and josé ramón arredondo portraying a multitude of characters, effortlessly switching roles while combining narration and dramatization. the trio also sings and plays instruments, blending verse with live music, gestural theatre, and audience engagement.
ana contreras's direction introduces a neo-gothic atmosphere that merges romantic references with contemporary theatrical techniques. the set design by iván lópez-ortega (recently awarded a MAX prize), lighting by clavija estudio (inés de la iglesia and carlos carpintero), costumes by sandra espinosa, and video scenes by violeta némec contribute to creating a world of apparitions and supernatural effects, inspired by both romantic imagery and the illusionist techniques of 19th-century theatre.
with new legends of zorrilla, la otra arcadia continues to explore the theatrical possibilities of literature and verse, a focus evident in the company’s previous productions. this time, the dialogue with the past revolves around a protagonist who asserts her freedom, set against a backdrop that merges poetry, comedy, and fantasy.
